Jake slumped onto the bench in his cell, Vanessa's words replaying in his mind like a haunting echo. He rubbed his face with his hands, frustration and confusion bubbling to the surface.
Kidnapping Emma... hurting her? The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth, one he couldn't shake.
He leaned back, staring at the ceiling, his mind tugged toward memories he'd buried deep.
Images of Emma filled his thoughts—her bright smile, the way her eyes sparkled when she was passionate about something, and the sound of her laugh that used to light up his world.
The way she had obediently done his bidding with asking questions and how she had passionately loved him in the purest form without for once holding malicious intent towards anyone.
Emma... he thought, his heart clenching. There was a time he would've done anything to protect her, not harm her. How had he let things spiral so far out of control?
When did things get to where they are now? She was someone he used to love. What happened? Where did things go wrong?
Jake closed his eyes, letting the memories come. He remembered the first time he saw her in college, how she'd been sitting under a tree, completely absorbed in her book.
She had looked up, catching him staring, and instead of being annoyed, she had smiled—warm, genuine, and kind. It had been that smile that pulled him in, that made him feel something he hadn't felt before.
From then onwards, all she had ever wanted was a genuine love and a complete family. One that she never had.
He thought about how she had wanted a child because she wanted them both to be fir the child so their child wouldn't have to be raised by a single mom or left to be catered for by herself when her mother dies.
She hadn't done anything bad. She had never gone against him or even did something bad. It was her naive and gullible nature that had drawn him in.
"I used to love her," he whispered to himself, the words almost foreign on his lips. "I still love her."
The realization hit him like a freight train, and he sank his head into his hands. All these months, he'd let anger, jealousy, and pride cloud what he truly felt fir Emma. But deep down, that love had never disappeared.
He had let his desire to own Ling Corp envelope him to the extent of casting Emma aside and feeling like she was nothing but a nuisance.
She had done nothing but love him, yet all he offered her was pain.
What have I done? He mused, remembering all the pain he had caused her in his foolishness.
Just as quickly as the realization of what he had done dawned on him, then came the guilt also.
It washed over him like a tidal wave, drowning him in regret. He thought about all the pain he had caused Emma—the lies, the betrayal, the public humiliation. His mind stopped at the darkest moment: when she had lost their child.
"I did that," he muttered, his voice cracking.
"I had made her lose our only child. The child she had so badly wanted so their family could be complete."
He had not only killed their child but he had also blamed her, accused her of being unfaithful, and paraded their private struggles in front of the world.
But the truth was, he was the unfaithful one. He was the one who had been reckless, selfish, and cruel. He was the wicked one, the one whom had betrayed her love in the most cruelest way and now, because of him, she was suffering, locked away in some room waiting to be killed.
Jake pressed his fists to his temples, the weight of his actions suffocating. "What have I done?" he whispered again, his voice trembling.
He had brought nothing but pain on Emma and now it was enough.
Vanessa's smirk flashed in his mind, and for the first time, he saw her for what she truly was—a mirror of his worst self.
She was nothing like Emma. Emma would never resort to such means to save him if it were Emma.
Vanessa was nothing but manipulative, vindictive, and cruel. Just like him, she was a wicked bitch.
A humorless laugh escaped his lips. Karma was indeed a bitch.
He would've asked himself what had made him choose Vanessa over Emma but it was clear as day.
He had been drawn to her because she played on his darkness, fed his ego, and encouraged his worst impulses. But now? Now it was clear she was willing to destroy everything, even Emma, to get what she wanted.
"How did I let this happen?" he asked himself, his jaw tightening. He thought about the man he had been when he was with Emma.
Though he wasn't perfect, but he wasn't... this. Emma had brought out the best in him, had made him want to be better. Vanessa had dragged him into the depths of his worst instincts.
Jake sat up straighter, determination hardening his features. I can't let her hurt Emma. I won't.
He didn't know how he was going to do it, but there was no way he could stay here, locked up, while Vanessa carried out her plan.
"I have to fix this," he murmured, his voice resolute. "I have to go back to who I was... for Emma. And when I do, I'll make everything right between her and me. I'll get her back."
As he sat there, his mind began racing with ideas, plans, and possibilities. For the first time in the past year, Jake felt a spark of something he thought he had lost: the desire to protect Emma, no matter the cost.
Outside the police station, Chris sat in his car outside the police station, his eyes fixed on the entrance as he waited for Alex's reply.
He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling Vanessa had given him. Her sharp demeanor, her arrogance, and the fact that she'd come to see Jake Thompson—it all felt too coincidental.
He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, the picture he'd taken of her earlier still open on his phone.
Sending it to Alex had been an impulsive decision, but now he was waiting for a response, hoping it would provide some clarity.
He hoped that Alex didn't know the lady in any way so that he could go on his own and wait for the police since they had told him to come back again when the kidnappers contacts them again.
His eyes snapped to his phone when it buzzed, and when he saw it was a message from Alex, he quickly swiped it wanting to read Alex's reply as soon as possible so he would know what his next course of action was.
Alex: That's Vanessa King. Jake's mistress. Why are you asking? Did she do anything suspicious?
Chris's instincts flared at the confirmation. Vanessa King. So, she really is connected to Jake.
Just as he was about to call Alex so they could talk properly, the door to the station opened, and Vanessa stepped out.
She wore a self-satisfied smirk, her heels clicking confidently against the pavement as she walked toward her car. Chris's eyes narrowed. What are you up to?
He quickly hit the call button, and Alex picked up after the first ring.
"Chris? What's going on? Why are you asking about her?" Alex's voice was sharp, laced with urgency.
"Alex," Chris began, keeping his voice low as he watched Vanessa unlock her car. "I think Vanessa is behind this. I saw her at the police station just now—she came to see Jake. Something about her doesn't sit right. Think about it."
"What?" Alex's voice hardened as he thought about it.
He had thought it was Margaret since she had been the desperate one that would do anything to free Jake.
Never had he thought it would be Vanessa. Was that the level she could go for Jake? Thinking about all Vanessa and Jake had done, he had no doubt that this was indeed her handiwork.
She was that vile. He thought, his attention being brought back to the call the moment Chris spoke again.
"She was asking for Jake by name. I got a bad feeling about her the moment I saw her. I don't know her and since she knew Jake, I thought you might know her hence I sent you her picture. Now that you've confirmed knowing her, I'll be tailing her now."
Alex's tone grew even more serious. "Send me your location, Chris. I'm coming to join you. Don't lose her."
Chris nodded even though Alex couldn't see him. "I'll text you my location and share my map so you can track me. I'll keep her in sight."
"Good," Alex replied. "I'll be with you as soon as I can. Don't do anything reckless."
"Got it," Chris said before hanging up.
He quickly sent Alex his location and enabled live sharing of his map. As Vanessa's car pulled out of the parking lot, Chris started his engine, keeping a safe distance behind her.
His heart raced as he followed her through the city streets, his focus unwavering. The tension was palpable, but his resolve was clear.
He didn't know where Vanessa was heading or what she planned to do, but one thing was certain—he wouldn't let her slip away.
With every turn she made, Chris kept Alex updated, his mind running through the possibilities. If Vanessa truly was behind Emma's kidnapping, then this might be the break they needed to save her.